Augmentation

A silicone implant is inserted at the base of the breast. The pink area on the left side shows the sub-pectoral "pocket" that is surgically created for the implant. The right side shows the incision and the pectoralis major muscle. Breast implants are usually placed under the pectoralis major muscle.

On the left, the breast implant is shown above the pectoralis major muscle. On the right, the implant is under the pectoralis major muscle. Note that the muscle on the right is cut or "released". This allows the implant to settle nicely to the base of the breast. Also note that the outer part of the breast implant on the right has no muscle coverage.

This example of a mastopexy and breast augmentation demonstrates a dual-plane approach to the soft tissue coverage over a breast implant. On the right, the pectoralis major muscle has been released at the base of the breast and has retracted upward. In time, after the implant has settled into the base of the breast, only the upper third of the implant will be covered with muscle and the lower two-thirds of the implant will be covered with breast tissue and fat. The implant coverage with the muscle is adjusted on a case-by-case basis depending of the anatomy of each breast augmentation patient.

This image shows the breast in cross-section with a breast implant in the subpectoral space, under the pectoralis major muscle. Note that the muscle does not cover the lower part of the implant. The implant is held in position at the base of the breast with the support of the skin and fatty connective tissue, not the muscle.

Breast Augmentation Considerations

Candidates For Breast Augmentation

Breast augmentation is a surgical procedure, so there are some important qualifications for you to meet so that you can undergo the surgery safely and successfully. You must be 18 years of age or older and in good physical and emotional health.

You should have completed your last pregnancy (and breast-feeding) at least three to six months prior to surgery. And, it is wise to defer breast augmentation if you plan to become pregnant within 1-2 years of surgery. (This is because pregnancy can change the aesthetics of your breasts and might change the operative plan to achieve your desired results).

You must have realistic expectations about how surgery can improve the aesthetics of your breasts, your body image and your life. And, you need to have a good support person to help you through the entire surgical process, especially to be with you and assist you during the first 24 hours after surgery.

Personal Decisions About Having Surgery

There are a number of important decisions to make before embarking on breast augmentation surgery. Those considerations include technical, medical, financial, emotional, work and family issues. In this section we address many of the technical elements involved in your decision making process. There are seven general technical points to consider:

We Will Help You Make Confident Decisions

Dr. Connall is an expert with all types of breast augmentation surgery. Dr. Connall understands that each woman's breasts and body are unique, as are the goals one wishes to achieve with breast augmentation. Dr. Connall recommends two different methods of implant placement. The implants can be placed through the breast fold. Or, for women who do not want a scar on their breasts, the implants can be placed through the underarm using an axillary endoscopic breast augmentation technique. Dr. Connall is an expert in both of these techniques, so the choice is yours. Though at times, Dr. Connall may recommend a particular incision for technical reasons related to the anatomy of your breasts. The most important issue in this decision is how you feel about scars, your breasts, and your body.

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